March 1955

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Features

How People Interact in Conferences

In which talk is subjected to formal observation and analysis.
A sample finding of the investigation: The average conference group has dual leaders, an "idea man" and a "best-liked man"

By Robert F. Bales

Radio Telescopes

Their evolution accelerates the pace of astronomy. One now being built will have a reflector 250 feet across. Another proposed here would have a main antenna 2,000 feet long and 200 feet high

By John D. Kraus

The Curtain Wall

The walls of a large building once had to support their own weight;
today they are hung from a skeleton. They are susceptible to further specialization to preserve the internal environment of the building

By James Marston Fitch

Unknown Viruses

In Africa and South America investigators discovered 11 Viruses not identified with any disease. These are now studied because they are potentially dangerous and shed light on the behavior of all viruses

By George W. Gray

The Growth of Crystals

How do atoms or molecules in a vapor or solution form the regular architecture of a solid? Much can be explained by the assumption that they fall into place rather like the bricks laid in a spiral ramp

By Robert L. Fullman

The Continental Shelf

Around the borders of the continents the bottom of the ocean slopes off gently for as much as 400 miles before it plunges into the deeps.
This terrace provides an active natural laboratory for the geologist

By Henry C. Stetson

Birds as Flying Machines

A sequel to the article on the aerodynamics of birds in the April, 1952, issue of this magazine. Among the remarkable adaptations birds have made to life in the air are high power and light weight

By Carl Welty

History of a Dig

How does an archaeologist decide where to excavate, and exactly how does his work proceed? These questions are answered in terms of the digging at a single site: Cerro Culebra on the coast of Peru

By Louis M. Stumer

Departments

50 and 100 Years Ago: March 1955

Science and the Citizen: March 1955

Letters

Letters to the Editors, March 1955

Recommended

Books

Amateur Scientist

The Amateur Scientist

Departments

The Authors

Bibliography

Purchase To Read More

Digital Issue ?Read or download this issue’s articles online. *A printed copy of this issue is not included. $7.99

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